Need New Alloys -- Please Advise

[Bingo123]

i own an IS 250 Argento ICE Silver and i am not very happy with the alloys.

they do look a bit boring to me and on top of that the brake dust makes the front ones black so quickly.

So i was thinking of going for black or gunmetal alloys but i dont wanna try Paint etc

Are there any replacement alloys available from Lexus itself in 17" as i dont want to upsize as well.

Your thoughts and suggestions most welcome..

thanks

[scudney]

So why not have your current ones refurbished and powder coated in Gunmetal grey or Black then?

[Captain Fizz]

Not really much help - Just I find cleaning these alloys quite easy compared to some...

So if looking at replacements - Check to see how easy they would be to clean!

I've seen some that look like they'd take an hour to clean properly...

[Bingo123]

i dont want this powder coating stuff done as i am a bit sceptical that after few rounds of washing/cleaning, they will start fading out.

2 more things :

while i was searching to buy my 250, i came across one with so called Titanium alloys and it looked really cool. Where can i get hold of them. i am pretty sure that those were 17 inchers.

secondly, there are few 18 inchers available in the accessories pamphlet by Lexus, Can i go for them ? Will they fit perfectly ? Has IS250 came with 18 inchers ever ?

[Captain Fizz]

IS 250 definitely came with 18" alloys but going by forum threads here, prone to cracking.

Also harder ride.

If you have 245's on the front - they do rub the wheel arches.

So stick with the 225's for front, 245's at rear (or both 225's)

[Bingo123]

yeah of course, 18 inchers will make the ride worse and specially our pot holed roads in london.

i have 225 in front and 245 in rear.

Can you confirm what exact size Is250 came with 18 inchers ?

[Bingo123]

look at the following link, here the finish seems gunmetal on alloys

Where can i buy these or get this done at least ???

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-IS-220d-2-2TD-SE-Silver-2006-58-000-Miles-17-Grey-Alloy-Leather-Seats-/201121246223?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2ed3c2ac0f

[normski2]

There must be many places in London that will refurb your wheels to any chosen colour. I thought you wanted a different set of wheels altogether.

I have 18's on my car, 225 on front and 255 on the rear.

These are what I have

[Bingo123]

omg yes, i want those wheels

thats my first choice

Can u post bigger pics and any more info

[normski2]

That do?

Ask in any Lexus dealership....but they ain't gonna be cheap. Nothing is in those places!!!

[Bingo123]

so i can ask the Lexus dealership about these alloys ?

what are these called.

please post the width and tyre size etc.

i want to go for these alloys on my tyre change

[normski2]

That's how they appear from a few feet.

[Bingo123]

look so fab with your white lexus.

[normski2]

Sorry mate....no idea what they are called. Maybe someone who knows will tell us??

18" 225/40 R on front

18" 255/40 R on rear

[Bingo123]

yeah if i can get a part number for these, then i can ask the Lexus dealer.

[normski2]

All I can tell you is that they are the standard 18" wheels as fitted to a 2009/10 SEL model. There does not appear to be a name as such in the brochure.

[Bingo123]

naah, i dont think they are standard.

[normski2]

http://www.lexus.co.uk/img/IS-Series-(5mar09)_tcm880-1186981.pdf

Take a look at main pic...shows my wheels..... and then page 18 for other wheel types.

[Bingo123]

yeah got it now. so 09 models did come with those wheels.

[normski2]

And quite a few people chose the Baransu wheel. Either are great choices.

I'm not so keen on the third choice...but that's just my opinion.

[Bingo123]

ok now, how can we find the part number ????

just by calling the dealer ?

also, will it be a straight fit on a 07 SE ?

also, will it void my warranty/Insurance etc in some way ?

please advise.

[normski2]

I'm sure the dealer will either know the wheel or can access the old on-line brochures themselves. Then they can see the pattern with their own eyes.

Ask them on the other points.

[ChumpusRex]

Had mine powder coated in gunmetal grey. They look great. Considering they were outrageously corroded before the refurb, the finish is very good - not perfect, but only noticable from a few inches away.

They look absolutely in mint condition after a few months. No evidence of fading, peeling, scratching or corrosion.

[Bingo123]

thanks mate, how many times the car has been to washing.

if the refurbishment can hold for 2 years then i dont mind

so just trying to be sure.

[ChumpusRex]

I usually wash by hand but the wheels have been washed almost every week if the weather is warm enough. I've pressure washed them a few times, but from a bit of a distance - keep the nozzle about 1 foot away from the wheel.

The recommendation from the refurbers was not to pressure wash them, but the powder coat is so much tougher than the paint/lacquer that was originally on them, that I can't believe that it would be significantly damaged unless you literally had the pressure wash nozzle literally touching the wheel or were using a hot water pressure wash. The thing that you do need to be careful with is industrial wheel cleaner chemicals - especially ones which use hydrofluoric acid - as that stuff will eat the powdercoat (it's amazing at dissolving brake dust, which is why it's used - but it will also eat pretty much anything else so you can't buy this sort of stuff of the shelf - it's only used at "professional" car washes).

The trick with a refurb is that you have to get it done properly - the previous owner had had a cheap refurb done - basically just spray painted over the old peeling and corroded lacquer - so the paint just peeled off after a year or so. If you're getting it done properly, you need to find a place that will chemical strip and bead blast the wheels.